Central Mo. woman Guard’s first female Apache pilot

A Central Missouri woman has joined the ranks of the National Guard’s Apache helicopter pilots. She is Missouri’s first. Women aren’t allowed to engage in combat, but Adrienne Hatcher says flying an Apache is as close as it gets.

Hatcher was born into the military … she was born at Scott Air Force Base where both of her parents served. She went to ten different schools before basic training and college, and says her parents would say they’re not surprised she’s Missouri’s first female Apache pilot.

She says for her, becoming the first female Apache pilot means looking forward to the second, and the third…. She looks forward to mentoring other women who push the limits, and says she thinks the military should continue to become more integrated.

Hatcher expects to be deployed within the next two years, but says the exact time and location have not yet been determined.